For more efficient, faster handling of cases

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go refiled Senate Bill 1186 which seeks to create additional divisions in the Court of Appeals (CA), advocating for a more efficient judicial system. It shall amend the Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, otherwise known as the Judiciary Reorganization Act.

Go stressed that every Filipino facing legal charges has the right to a speedy trial and disposition of cases.

He then explained that the proposed measure shall help prevent delays in the administration of justice.

The senator reiterated that the right to a speedy trial and disposition is usually infringed due to unpredictable and oppressive delays.

“Let us strengthen the role and functions of our judiciary. Napakarami pong mga kaso na hindi agad-agad nareresolba dahil hindi po ito agarang naaaksyunan at nabibigyang pansin,” expressed Go.

“These problems cause inevitable delays in deciding and resolving cases, diluting the public’s confidence and trust in the country’s justice system. That is why this law aims to provide a more reliable, unbiased, and swift delivery of justice in the country,” he explained.

Senator Go then underscored the need to restructure the CA especially as a great number of cases clog the appellate court’s dockets.

In a previous interview, the senator remarked how a slow-paced and overburdened judicial system exhibited during the decade-old Maguindanao massacre case led him to push for the said measure.

“Hindi ko masisisi ang mga Pilipino na tumatakbo sa Pangulo para humingi ng hustisya. Dahil minsan ay nawawalan sila ng pag-asa sa napakabagal na justice system natin sa bansa,” said Go.

With the proposed measure, the bill seeks to add three more divisions of the Court of Appeals, each with three members. The bill also listed down the proposed permanent stations of the divisions.

The first seventeen divisions will be stationed in Manila City for cases coming from the Third to the Fifth Judicial Regions, while the next three divisions will be stationed in Cebu City for cases coming from the Sixth to Eighth Judicial Regions.

Divisions 21st to 23rd will be posted in Cagayan de Oro City for cases coming from the Ninth and Tenth Judicial Regions, and the 24th Division will be in Vigan City which will deal with cases from the First and Second Judicial Regions.

Lastly, the 25th and 26th Divisions will be positioned in Davao City for cases coming from the Eleventh and Twelfth Judicial Regions. Overall, this effectively increases the number of CA justices from 69 to 78.

The bill also mandates for the CA to hold continuous trials and hearings and, “must be completed within three months unless extended by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.”

The senator expressed his confidence that the proposed measure will provide a faster and more efficient judiciary system in the country.

“Let me clarify that while we have an independent and fully functioning judicial system in the country, we should continue to do our best to improve its efficiency in delivering justice. As they say, justice delayed is justice denied. Siguraduhin nating mabigyan ng hustisya ang bawat kasong nakasalang sa ating mga korte sa mabilis at patas na paraan,” Go appealed.